Brownfield, Windsor and Carmel get first responder funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud praised the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) announcement on Wednesday that the Brownfield Volunteer Fire Department and the Windsor Fire and Rescue Department will receive funding through the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) program. The departments will receive $62,700 and $89,296 respectively.

Additionally, the Carmel Fire Department will receive $71,500 through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program.The funding announced today will be used to acquire new safety gear and support first responder personnel.

Michaud sponsored a series of workshops last spring aimed at helping Maine fire departments navigate the process for obtaining Assistance to Firefighter Grants. Specialists from FEMA visited the Lewiston-Auburn, Bangor, and Presque Isle communities to provide additional information on the application process.

“Maine’s fire and rescue departments are so critical to the safety of our communities,” said Michaud. “These FEMA programs help our first responders access more personnel, newer equipment, and better training.”

According to FEMA, the primary goal of AFG is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.Funds under the SAFER program are intended to support the hiring of firefighters and the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.